Social Security: Americans Agree VIDEO

Social Security: Just the Facts Video

COVERED: a week-by-week look at the political and legislative developments that led to the creation of Medicare and Medicaid 50 years ago. Bob Rosenblatt, Academy senior fellow and former Los Angeles Times Washington correspondent will report on the people and the maneuvers that led to this major expansion of social insurance.

Stephen C. Goss

Recipient of the first Robert M. Ball Award for Outstanding Achievements in Social Insurance

Stephen C. Goss is the first recipient of the Robert M. Ball Award for Outstanding Achievements in Social Insurance, which will be bestowed on June 9, 2004 at the National Press Club.

Goss, Chief Actuary at the Social Security Administration (SSA), exemplifies "public service" at its very best. He gives tirelessly and selflessly of himself to try to clarify, illuminate, and explain complex social security issues and how estimates are made of revenues, expenses, and actuarial projections within that program. He openly and forthrightly invites suggestions and criticism, hoping to improve the quality of his knowledge and the accuracy of estimates put forward by SSA. Steve Goss and the entire Office of the Chief Actuary provide an exemplary model of integrity and transparency, while maintaining a very high level of productivity.

Goss has been with SSA for over 30 years. He joined the Office of the Chief Actuary after receiving his M.S. in Mathematics from the University of Virginia in 1973. He also received a B.S. in Mathematics and Economics from the University of Pennsylvania in 1971.

Goss has been a staff participant representing the Office of the Chief Actuary at the President's Commission on Pension Policy, the 1979, 1991, and 1995 Advisory Councils, the National Commission on Social Security, and the National Commission on Social Security Reform. He has also been a member in task forces and inter-governmental groups in the field of social insurance, health insurance, and long-term care insurance.

Goss worked closely with Congressional staff on the 1983 Social Security Amendments, testified at Committee hearings, and was instrumental in the development of the provision for increasing the normal retirement age. He represented the United States at the Third International Social Security Seminar for Actuaries and Statisticians in Rome in 1988.